Brazilian preservation areas may turn into global model
The Salto Morato Natural Reserve is a 2,253 hectare (ha) Atlantic Forest territory on the northern coast of Paraná,
Two private conservation units in Brazil—the Salto Morato Nature Reserve, in the city of Guaraqueçaba, Paraná, and the Serra do Tombador Natural Reserve, in Cavalcante, Goiás—may offer a model for other countries says biologist Marion Bartolamei, coordinator of the Private Reserves of Brazil's Natural Heritage.
The work conducted in the two preservation areas was presented during the World Parks Congress, which ended Monday (Nov 17), in Sidney, Australia. The event, which takes place once every ten years, aims to promote discussion about conservation areas in different countries. “It's a unique moment.[...] You're given the opportunity to evaluate the situation of protected areas all across the world and put forward positive practices as well as new planning and management methodologies for these units”, the biologist remarked.
Marion goes on to report that this year the congress gave a special focus to private units, which have been on the rise worldwide.
In the case of the two Brazilian reserves, their contribution was demonstrated both locally and in people's everyday lives. “How many jobs we create, the conservation of natural resources, how much [money] visitors spend on the region, efforts in firefighting, [etc],” the coordinator said.
The Salto Morato Natural Reserve
The Salto Morato Natural Reserve is a 2,253 hectare (ha) Atlantic Forest territory on the northern coast of Paraná, where a number of flora and fauna species find their home. Created 20 years ago, this reserve has been considered a World Heritage Site since 1999 by Unesco, and welcomes approximately 8 thousand visitors every year.
“In Salto Morato, great importance is given to raising visitors' awareness, signage, guided tours... [It's] the setting for a number of measures aimed at education, raising awareness, and the conservation of vulnerable areas within the reserve, where visitation is not allowed,” Marion added. Also, several university students opt to carry out field research in the area.
The Serra do Tombador Natural Reserve, in the municipality of Cavalcante, in the state of Goiás, is an 8,730-ha area located in the cerrado, also referred to as the Brazilian savanna, the country's most threatened biome. The managers of this reserve have been developing strategies to fight the area's greatest threat: fire. Among the measures carried out over the last seven years are training a volunteer fire brigade and establishing partnership aimed at protecting the region.
Both reserves are under the administration of the Boticário Group Foundation for Nature Protection and had their management plans approved by the federal government's Chico Mendes Conservation and Biodiversity Institute (ICMBio).
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Brazilian preservation areas may turn into global model
